Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-05-04
FOX-HUNTING.
Description OF a Winter "NIecC' in
England.

fOA-nunllnS mas made secure place
for itself in English literature, as every
reader of novels to say nothing of
descriptions OF outdoor sports, knows,
for 1t is British institution. The chase
of the fox is the ideal chase. 1t must
be enjoyed in the early morning of the
winter, when the love of outdoor life,
which is the basis of the sportsman's
healthful enjoyment, can be gratified
under the best conditions. The larger
the company the better, SO that COM
panionship adds to the pleasure. There
is no necessity for silence or strategy.
No unfair advantage, according to the
sportsman's code is taken of the victim.
The unskilful can participate in it with
rs keen enjoyment if without an equal
chance for the honors of the brush, as
veterans. Ladies can ride to the
hounds, and men that lack horses are
not thereby denied participation, while
those who are mounted have need for all
their skill and endurance as equeStrians.
II is sport in which all classes can and
do take pride.
The ladies and gentlemen assemble at
the meet, at an early hour in the morn
ing, mounted for the chase. The farm
ers come ON foot. The master huntsman
withholds the hounds, eager for the
race, until the morning greetings are
cheerily exchanged, and expectancy and
the bracing air have produced the true
sporting spirit. And then the hunt
begins. The hounds make excursions
in every direction, keeping, however,
within hearing of one another, and
riders and footmen follow slowly.
When Il fresh track is scented, the sue
ceSsful dog gives expression to his own
delight, the others open" and follow
him, at first slowly, now and then losing
the trail and going back to find it again.
\ little later it becomes warmer. The
hounds follow it with greater ease, at a
swifter pace, and in louder chorus.
Now the excitement of the race begins.
The riders spur their horses to keep
pace with the dogs. The footmen
abandon the race behind the hounds,
and take shorter routes to what each
considers the course the fox is likely TO
take. Some go in the wrong direction,
and lag further and further behind.
Others anticipate dogs and riders, and
meet them at the crowning moment.
1t not infrequently happens that the
whole forest for miles around is alive
with the army and its stragglers which
are following one good runner.
The fox is not rapid runner until he
becomes fully aware of the danger, and
then he is likely soon TO run himself
down, so that when the hounds come
within sight OF him his strength is
almost exhausted And it is only where
the track is fresh that the hounds 90 at
great speed. But the most exciting
period of the race is likely to be long
enough to give horses and riders, and
pedestrians as vigorous exercise as any
but cavalry desire. Yet it is invigora-
ting and exciting, without being violent
or dangerous. The excitement is just
great enough TO supply motive for a
ride across fields and over fences, and
through the forest, wherever the sly
victim leads, and the baying of the
hounds acts on the sportsmen as music
on tile soldiers making a charge. There
are Just falls and bruises, and other
accidents enough to bear witness to tine
engaging nature of the sport-to hint of
reckleSsnesS without causing serious
fright.
The sportsman carries off the honors
who is the first to seize the fox after the
hounds have captured him, and the
trophy is the brush. There is sure TO
be a spirited struggle for this, and the
gallant fashion still holds in England of
rewarding the most daring lady in the
chase with the fcX's tail Nor is it any
wonder that foX-hunting has from time
immemorial been one of the favorite
diversions of the country gentlemen.
In Northern England it is an unwritten
law that miners and farmers and all the
country folk shall spend New Years
day OH the chase, and there are always
parties of ladies and gentlemen who
Join them in this combination of merry
making and healthful sport. And it Is a
matter of honor that fox shall not be
entrapped or shot. The country gentle
man would judge any person fit for
treason and unworthy OF respect who
should wantohly kill Reynard, and
thereby take away the chance for him
to sacrifice his life nobly to the cause of
healthful and merry sport for a whole
community of hunters. There are as
many days of genuine pleasure in store
for English men.and women as there are
foxes in the kingdom, and nothing but
the extension of the British Empire
gives greater glory than the capture of |
many brushes.